This archive report was first published on 3 December 2019.
December 3, 2019, marked a significant milestone for the clearing and forwarding industry in Kenya as the Kenya Customs Agents and Freight Forwarders Management Bill inched closer to reality.
The Bill, which aims to bring key changes to the sector, has been presented to various stakeholders, including the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
According to Roy Mwanthi, the chairman of the Kenya Freight and Warehouse Association (Kifwa), the Bill has already undergone scrutiny by these organizations and is now being taken to the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and other connected government agencies.
Mr. Mwanthi explained that the main reason for sharing the Bill with the shipping players is to prepare them in case the Attorney General requires their input on the document.
"We want them to have the Bill so that they can give us their input and endorsement so that if the Bill is taken to the Attorney General, they will not have any objection because they shall have already received the Bill from us," Mr. Mwanthi said.
The proposed law is expected to bring a new set of rules and regulations, including guidelines on charges, discipline, integrity, and membership.
Clearing agents and freight forwarders are betting on the proposed law to enhance their operations through entrenching professionalism in their business.
